5,986 research outputs found

    Heterotopia in Networked Learning: Beyond the Shadow Side of Participation in Learning Communities

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    As it has evolved, networked learning (NL) has come to emphasise the importance of the collaborative learning aspects and possibilities of online learning. The importance assumed for 'collaboration based' forms of participation within NL has almost become ubiquitous and is frequently seen as an unquestionable good aspect - a utopian view of participation which does not acknowledge the 'shadow side' of participation in learning. In the paper we examine some of the darker sides of collaborative participation which in its extreme manifestations can be experienced as normative and, we suggest, a form of tyranny of the dominant and which instead of having a liberating effect, reinforces a form of oppression and control. We argue this is most likely to be the case in the absence of reflexivity and understanding of different ways and approaches to participation. We go on to suggest an alternative and potentially more productive perspective which, after Foucault, is a heterotopian one. A perspective that acknowledges and assumes disruption and which disturbs our customary notion of ourselves. Participation in heterotopian spaces is disturbing and ambiguous, but it offers a space in which to imagine, to desire and act differently

    Identification of volatile contaminants of space cabin materials Final report, Jan. 1967 - Feb. 1968

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    Screening tests on candidate construction materials for spacecraft cabins to determine gas-off and oxidation product

    A study of stratigraphy and sedimentation in the formation of a stratigraphic trap, e.g. the Bellshill lake oilfield area of Alberta, Canada

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    Stratigraphic traps are, in general, directly related to their respective depositional environments. An understanding of the depositional environment is essential to successful prospecting for oil and natural gas in this type of hydrocarbon reservoir. The concept of differential compaction of a sedimentary sequence makes isopach studies of shales immediately above (and below) a lenticular sand body or a knobbed blanket sand, of considerable value in isolating areas of interest to the Petroleum Geologist. The variations in thickness of these shales are independent of present day structure and these studies of such genetic sequences serve as real indicators of sand bodies and their depositional trend. Structure contour maps drawn on a reliable time marker (e.g. a marine transgression) within the selected genetic sequence can provide the information required to select a drilling location. In all such studies all the tools and data available to the Petroleum Geologist should be consulted and considered. This thesis is a brief account of the work of the Petroleum Geologist in the active search of oil and natural gas, the tools he uses, the data he consults, the regional depositional environment he must understand and a description of a typical example, the Bellshill Lake Oilfield, of one of the projects he is likely to be called upon to undertake

    Expert consensus for respiratory physiotherapy management of mechanically ventilated adults with community-acquired pneumonia: A Delphi study

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    Rationale and aims: Patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) are frequently admitted to an intensive care unit. Physiotherapy may be provided to optimize respiratory function; however, there is significant variability in clinical practice and limited research directing best practice for this cohort. This study aimed to determine expert consensus for best physiotherapy practice for invasively ventilated adults with CAP. Method: A modified Delphi technique involved an international expert panel completing three rounds of an online questionnaire. The initial 35‐statement questionnaire, based on a systematic literature review and survey of current clinical practice, covered physiotherapy assessment and treatment of intubated patients with CAP. Quantitative data using Likert scales determined level of agreement, with qualitative data collected through open‐ended responses. Consensus threshold was set a priori at 70%. Items not achieving consensus were modified and new items added based on themes from qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, with thematic analysis used on qualitative data. Results: The panel comprised 29 international clinical and academic experts in critical care physiotherapy. Response rate was more than 95% for each round. Outcome achieved was 38 consensus statements covering assessment and treatment, with 28 statements (74%) providing consensus on recommended clinical practice, two consensus disagreement statements (7%) for what practice is not recommended, and eight statements (21%) indicating which treatments may be beneficial. Conclusion: Expert consensus regarding physiotherapy for intubated adults with CAP patients provides an evidence‐based approach to guide clinical practice. The consensus statements can also be used to guide research evaluating physiotherapy interventions for patients with CAP

    Nucleon momentum distribution in deuteron and other nuclei within the light-front dynamics method

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    The relativistic light-front dynamics (LFD) method has been shown to give a correct description of the most recent data for the deuteron monopole and quadrupole charge form factors obtained at the Jefferson Laboratory for elastic electron-deuteron scattering for six values of the squared momentum transfer between 0.66 and 1.7 (GeV/c)2^{2}. The good agreement with the data is in contrast with the results of the existing non-relativistic approaches. In this work we firstly make a complementary test of the LFD applying it to calculate another important characteristic, the nucleon momentum distribution n(q)n(q) of the deuteron using six invariant functions fif_{i} (i=1,...,6)(i=1,...,6) instead of two (SS- and DD-waves) in the nonrelativistic case. The comparison with the yy-scaling data shows the decisive role of the function f5f_{5} which at qq\geq 500 MeV/c exceeds all other ff-functions (as well as the SS- and DD-waves) for the correct description of n(q)n(q) of the deuteron in the high-momentum region. Comparison with other calculations using SS- and DD-waves corresponding to various nucleon-nucleon potentials is made. Secondly, using clear indications that the high-momentum components of n(q)n(q) in heavier nuclei are related to those in the deuteron, we develop an approach within the natural orbital representation to calculate n(q)n(q) in (A,Z)(A,Z)-nuclei on the basis of the deuteron momentum distribution. As examples, n(q)n(q) in 4^{4}He, 12^{12}C and 56^{56}Fe are calculated and good agreement with the yy-scaling data is obtained.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, corrected, to appear in Phys. Rev. C in February 200

    Leprosy and tuberculosis concomitant infection: a poorly understood, age-old relationship

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    Historically, archaeological evidence, post-mortem findings and retro- spective analysis of leprosy institutions’ data demonstrates a high observed incidence of concomitant infection with leprosy and tuberculosis (TB). However, reports of concomitant infection in the modern literature remain scarce, with estimates of annual new case detection rates of concomitant infection at approximately 0·02 cases per 100,000 population. Whilst the mechanism for this apparent decline in concomitant infections remains unclear, further research on this topic has remained relatively neglected. Modelling of the interaction of the two organisms has suggested that the apparent decline in observations of concomitant infection may be due to the protective effects of cross immunity, whilst more recently others have questioned whether it is a more harmful relationship, predisposing towards increased host mortality. We review recent evidence, comparing it to previously held understanding on the epidemiological relationship and our own experience of concomitant infection. From this discussion, we highlight several under-investigated areas, which may lead to improvements in the future delivery of leprosy management and services, as well as enhance understanding in other fields of infection management. These include, a) highlighting the need for greater understanding of host immunogenetics involved in concomitant infection, b) whether prolonged courses of high dose steroids pre-dispose to TB infection? and, c) whether there is a risk of rifampicin resistance developing in leprosy patients treated in the face of undiagnosed TB and other infections? Longitudinal work is still required to characterise these temporal relationships further and add to the current paucity of literature on this subject matter

    The Genomics of Colorectal Cancer: State of the Art

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    The concept of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, as first espoused by Morson et al. whereby the development of colorectal cancer is dependent on a stepwise progression from adenomatous polyp to carcinoma is well documented

    The Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster: a compilation of published literature on health needs and relief activities, March 2011-September 2012

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    Objective: To provide an overview of the health needs following the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster and the lessons identified. Methods: The relevant of peer review and grey literature articles in English and Japanese, and books in Japanese, published from March 2011 to September 2012 were searched. Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and HMIC were searched for journal articles in English, CiNii for those in Japanese, and Amazon.co.jp. for books. Descriptions of the health needs at the time of the disaster were identified using search terms and relevant articles were reviewed. Findings: 85 English articles, 246 Japanese articles and 13 books were identified, the majority of which were experience/activity reports. Regarding health care needs, chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes were reported to be the greatest burden from the early stages of the disaster. Loss of medication and medical records appeared to worsen the situation. Many sub-acute symptoms were attributed to the contaminated sludge of the tsunamis and the poor living environment at the evacuation centres. Particularly vulnerable groups were identified as the elderly, those with mental health illnesses and the disabled. Although the response of the rescue activities was prompt, it sometimes failed to meet the on-site needs due to the lack of communication and coordination. Conclusion: The lessons identified from this mega-disaster highlighted the specific health needs of the vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with non-communicable diseases. Further research is needed so that the lessons identified can be incorporated into future contingency plans in Japan and elsewhere

    Microstructure and mechanical properties of thermomechanically processed C-Si-Mn steels

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    Comparison of the microstructures formed in the specimens produced by corresponding schedules in the dilatometer and by laboratory rolling has shown that a higher level of retained austenite was achieved in dilatometer specimens, whereas in rolled specimens a higher amount of martensite was present instead of retained austenite
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